THEUPWEY FERNTREE GULLY TIGERS BASEBALLCLUB

The Upwey FTG Baseball Club is a well established, successful, friendly and family orientated Baseball Club currently competing in Baseball Victoria’s Summer Series and the Dandenong Baseball Association Winter Series competitions. First founded in 1963, we have a long and successful history and celebrated our 50th year in 2013.

Our baseball program caters for boys, girls, men and women of all ages wanting to compete in Baseball from T-Ball all the way through Junior Baseball, Under 18’s and into the Senior program with players ranging in age from 5yrs through to 60yrs.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Success of a club starts from the top and we have a highly dedicated, experienced and professional board who each have personal ownership in the club. Members of the Board have played T-Ball and Junior baseball, and now play Senior and Masters Baseball (and now have their own kids playing at the club!). The President in fact started as a T-baller here at the Upwey FTG Tigers as a 7 year old and now play Masters Baseball.

JUNIOR PROGRAM

We are fully committed to our Junior Baseball program and heavily invest both time and money to provide each and every child the opportunity to play the best they can play and have the best experience they can have whilst playing our great game. Our coaches have extensive experience in the game of baseball and are dedicated to the cause.

We at the Upwey Tigers believe that the kids are our future. We centre our program around having fun whilst teaching them the essential fundamentals of baseball that will set them up for the years ahead. We surround our kids with positive, constructive, team orientated structures where team work, encouragement and self belief are promoted.

We are the only club in the Baseball Victoria system currently operating 2 major Junior National and International Tournaments each year.

Junior Teams - Summer Season

Little League TBall – 4 to 7 yrs

Little League Minor Baseball – 8 to 12 yrs

Little League Major Baseball – 9 to 12 yrs

Junior League Baseball – 12 to 14 yrs

Senior League Baseball – Under 16 yrs

Under 18 Baseball

SENIOR PROGRAM

Senior Baseball – Summer Season

We currently field 4 Senior Teams and 2 Masters teams in the Baseball Victoria Division 1 competition. As Season 2019/20 is drawing closer we may be extending to a 5th senior side. Training is conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with games played Sunday afternoons. Our 1sts play an extended game format with Midweek and Saturday games.

We are one of only a select few clubs that has had as many as 10 home grown players that have ‘gone all the way’ and played Major League Baseball both in the USA and Japan, as well as represented Australia at the Olympic games.

Senior Baseball – Winter season

We currently field 2 teams in the Dandenong Baseball Association in the B1 and B2 grades. Games are played Saturday afternoons.

Coaching Staff – Senior Program

Our Club Coach Donavon Hendricks is a past Major League player for the Atlanta Braves and has represented both Victoria & Australia. Donovan possesses a baseball resume that has to be seen to be believed. He brings with him a wealth of international experience and along with our other senior coaching staff form a formidable team.

This is Donny’s 6th season as our club coach and together we are very much looking forward to the season ahead. Donny continues his journey at our great club with the same hopes and visions that the Board has, so far as strengthening our Junior program, investing in our people, working hard, having fun and winning games of baseball.

FACILITIES

Our clubrooms are warm and friendly where every person is welcomed with open arms. Our baseball Knox Council ‘Municipal Rated’ complex comprises no less than 6 solely dedicated Division 1 rated and approved baseball diamonds that are meticulously maintained by a dedicated home grown volunteer base. Our canteen is open on all game and training days offering a variety of value for money, fresh food and drinks. We are fully licensed and are an approved Level 3 ‘Good Sports’ club. We have a dedicated and fully stocked merchandise shop with everything from uniforms, to training apparel and baseball gear.

If you or your child are thinking about starting baseball, give one of our friendly committee members a call and we will be happy to discuss the variety of options available to you. We can organise club and clubroom tours, try out days as well as give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.